Neutering of dogs

There are many myths surrounding the neutering of both male and female dogs. One of the most widespread beliefs is that sterilizing causes dogs to become overweight. In reality, this depends on how much food the dog is given and whether it gets enough exercise.

Another common misconception is that neutered dogs become lazy. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this affects how much our pets take advantage of the comfortable lifestyle we provide for them. It is also often said that female dogs should not be spayed until they have had at least one litter, but this is not true either. There is no evidence that the short-term hormonal changes associated with heat cycles and giving birth have any long-term effects.

What exactly happens during the spaying of a female dog?

This is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Once the dog is asleep, her abdomen is shaved and disinfected, and the veterinarian makes a small incision just behind the navel. The blood vessels supplying the ovaries are tied off to prevent bleeding during the operation. For the same reason, the uterus is ligated at the cervix. The next step is the actual spaying procedure: the uterus is cut from the cervix and removed together with the ovaries. Before closing the abdomen, the veterinarian carefully checks for any signs of bleeding to ensure that everything has proceeded exactly as planned.

Although spaying may sound like a painful procedure, it is important to remember that it is performed under anesthesia, and the dog is given several types of pain relief. After waking up, it may still be groggy from the anesthesia and pain medication. Pain relief will need to be continued at home for a while, usually in the form of oral tablets or liquid medication. You can usually take your pet home just a few hours after the surgery. About two weeks of rest is generally recommended for full recovery, although most dogs appear to bounce back within a few days. The younger the dog, the faster the recovery. The dog should be taken back to the veterinarian after about 10–14 days for suture removal.

What happens during the neutering of male dogs?

This is also a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Once the dog is asleep, the hair around the testicles is shaved and the area is disinfected. The veterinarian then makes a small incision in front of the scrotum. Next comes the actual neutering procedure: the testicles are brought out one by one through the incision, the blood vessels are tied off to prevent bleeding, and the testicles are removed. Before closing the incision, the veterinarian checks carefully to ensure there is no bleeding as a result of the procedure.

The same applies here as with female dogs: since the surgery is performed under anesthesia, the dog does not feel pain. After waking up, he may still be groggy from the anesthesia and pain medication, which will need to be continued during recovery. Usually, one to two weeks of rest is recommended, although younger dogs may recover more quickly. The dog should be taken back to the veterinarian after about 10–14 days for suture removal. An Elizabethan collar should be used to prevent the dog from licking the wound. For indoor dogs, a protective garment that safely covers the wound can be used instead of a collar—for example, a baby onesie. This should be removed during walks but worn continuously at home.

What are the benefits of neutering?

• Longer expected lifespan

• No estrus, no possibility of reproduction, no bleeding during heat

• Prevention and reduction of sexual behavior-related problems (running away, roaming, aggression, hyperactivity, and frequent marking of various places and furniture)

• Persistent preputial discharge in male dogs is eliminated

• A number of diseases can be prevented: in females, uterine infections, mammary tumors, and ovarian cysts; in males, prostate inflammation, testicular tumors, perineal hernias, and perianal tumors

However, it should be noted that neutering may also involve complications. These are mainly related to anesthesia, but the veterinarian will carefully examine your pet beforehand, so the risks can be minimized. In female dogs, urinary incontinence may rarely occur after the procedure.

What should you feed your dog after neutering?

Since it is a common issue that many pets tend to gain weight after neutering, it is important to pay special attention to this. After the surgery, it is advisable to monitor your dog’s weight regularly—either during veterinary visits or at home. This helps detect any problems early so they can be addressed in time.

Obesity is not just an aesthetic issue—it puts strain on the joints, and overweight dogs tend to move less, which can lead to further weight gain. Pet food manufacturers have also recognized the importance of this issue and have developed special diets specifically for the post-neutering period (such as Royal Canin’s “Neutered” products). These are formulated to meet the dog’s needs while still being complete and of premium quality. Feeding guidelines are usually provided to help owners maintain their dog’s ideal body weight. For choosing the most suitable food, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian.

What should you consider when deciding whether to neuter your dog?

Of course, if you would like your dog to have puppies, you should not consider neutering. However, in this case, you need to be aware that not only the puppies require extra attention and responsible care, but your dog does as well. Be prepared for heat cycles in females and constant marking behavior in males. You also need to carefully monitor when your dog comes into contact with dogs of the opposite sex.

If you are unsure whether you want your dog to have puppies but have not yet decided on neutering either, it is worth considering the possible advantages and disadvantages. An unneutered dog requires a great deal of attention - you need to stay alert, as males may easily run away after a female and mark everything, while females may drip blood during heat, become restless, and may also try to escape in hopes of meeting a male.

Neutering of cats

Neutering of indoor cats is also often unavoidable. In sexually mature male cats, urine develops a strong, unpleasant odor, and their behavior changes—they may become aggressive and mark important areas of their territory with urine. In female cats, urine marking can also occur, and frequent heat cycles are often accompanied by unusual vocalization, which can disturb the owner’s peace. Unspayed female cats are also more prone to mammary tumors and uterine infections.

For cats that are allowed outdoors, during heat they may wander far from home and be exposed to various dangers (being hit by a car, chased by dogs, fighting with other cats, or even being harmed by malicious people, etc.). Through contact with other cats, they may also become infected with various viruses (such as leukemia or feline AIDS), fleas, and other parasites. In addition, unwanted litters must also be taken into account.

Cats usually reach sexual maturity at around 6-7 months of age. Heat cycles are seasonal, typically occurring in late winter and late summer, and may last for several weeks or even months.

The recommended age for neutering is 5-8 months for both males and females (it is not necessary to wait for the first heat). Of course, the procedure can also be performed at a later time.

The surgery is carried out by appointment.

Important infomration about neutering

Please make an appointment in advance by phone.

Bring your pet on an empty stomach (6-8 hours of fasting, 2 hours without water-however, withholding water can be omitted in very hot weather).

Be sure to inform the veterinarian about any existing medical conditions (epilepsy, heart disease, respiratory disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, excessive drinking and urination).

Please think in advance if you would like to request any additional procedures during anesthesia (e.g. nail trimming, ear cleaning, microchip implantation, tartar removal, ultrasound examination, etc.).

Before the procedure, your pet will be examined to determine whether anesthesia is safe. A more accurate assessment can be made with a prior blood test, which is especially recommended for older animals. This helps us better estimate and reduce anesthesia-related risks. Naturally, blood sampling should be done about one week before the procedure.

What exactly happens during the spaying of female cats?

The procedure is performed under intravenous anesthesia. Once the cat is asleep, her abdomen is shaved and disinfected, and a 1.5-3 cm incision is made just behind the navel. Using a special instrument (a hook), the ovaries are located, and their blood vessels are tied off to prevent bleeding during the operation. The uterus is examined and is only removed if it is diseased or contains fetuses. The next step is the actual spaying procedure, during which the ovaries are removed. Before closing the abdomen, the area is carefully checked for any signs of bleeding. The abdominal wall and the subcutaneous connective tissue are then sutured with absorbable stitches. The skin is closed with two or three non-absorbable sutures, so the cat needs to return in about 10 days for suture removal.

The wound must be protected until the stitches are removed, using a protective garment or an Elizabethan collar. If this is not done, the cat may lick the wound, which can cause it to reopen and become infected. The garment can be made from a stretchable sock, a thick cotton stocking, or the sleeve of a cardigan or long-sleeved shirt. First, cut two holes for the front legs and pull the garment onto the cat, guiding the front legs through the holes. Then cut two holes for the hind legs and pull them through as well. Finally, cut a hole for the tail, pull it through, and trim any excess fabric.

It is recommended to prepare the garment a few days before the surgery so your pet can try it on and get used to it. If the cat manages to slip out of it, a collar or bandage can be used around the neck to secure the garment. If you are unable to make one, we can help prepare it from your materials, or provide a ready-made version, which are generally more popular.

Although spaying may sound painful, it is performed under deep anesthesia, and the cat receives multiple types of pain relief. After waking up, she may still be groggy from the anesthesia. You can usually take your pet home a few hours after the surgery. Pain relief should be continued at home for 2–3 days in the form of an easy-to-administer oral liquid. About two weeks of rest is recommended for full recovery, although most cats recover within a few days. The younger the cat, the faster the healing process.

Information about the cost of the procedure can be found under the “Prices” section. The price includes all medications and suture removal, except for the protective collar and garment.

What happens during the neutering of male cats?

This is also a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Once the cat is asleep, the hair around the testicles is shaved and the area is disinfected. The veterinarian then makes two small incisions in the scrotum. Next comes the actual neutering procedure: the testicles are brought out one by one through the incisions, the blood vessels are tied off to prevent bleeding, and the testicles are removed. The wounds are left open, and no skin sutures are placed, so there is no need for suture removal. The wounds usually close within one to two days, even if the cat licks them. In this case, special wound protection is generally not necessary (no collar or bandage is required), and infections are rare. Cats typically recover from the procedure within a day.

During the surgery, the cat receives pain relief and antibiotics, and after the procedure an awakening injection is administered. This allows the cat to be taken home immediately, although it may remain groggy for up to half a day and may fall asleep several times.

Information about the cost of the procedure can be found under the “Prices” section. The price includes all medications.

What are the benefits of neutering?

1. Longer expected lifespan

2. No heat cycles, no possibility of reproduction

3. Prevention and reduction of sexual behavior-related problems (escaping, roaming, aggression, hyperactivity, and frequent marking of various places and furniture)

4. Uterine infections, mammary tumors, and ovarian cysts can be prevented

What should you feed your cat after neutering?

Since it is a common issue that most pets tend to gain weight after neutering, it is important to pay special attention to this. After the surgery, it is advisable to monitor your cat’s weight regularly - either during veterinary visits or at home. This allows you to detect any problems early and take action in time. Obesity is not just an aesthetic issue - it puts strain on the joints, and overweight cats tend to move less, which can lead to further weight gain.

Pet food manufacturers have also recognized the importance of this issue and have developed special diets specifically for the post-neutering period. These are formulated to meet the cat’s needs while still being complete and of premium quality. Feeding guidelines are usually provided to help owners maintain their cat’s ideal body weight. To accommodate cats’ picky eating habits, these diets are available not only as dry food but also in wet, pouch formats. For choosing the most suitable food, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian.